THIS IS TO REMEMBER FR MAREK MARIUSZ RYBINSKI SDB WHO WAS KILLED AT MAHOUBA, TUNISIA ON 18/02/2011 AT THE AGE OF 33
(By Archbishop Maroun Lahham of Tunis, published in “Don Bosco’s
Madonna”, contact details below.)
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
The Salesian fathers said that last Eid, the murderer had borrowed 2000 Tunisian dinars to purchase equipment for their work. He seems to have spent the money for other things, so the supplier refused to send over the material not paid for and Fr Marek insisted that the money of the school be returned. In panic, and fearing that he would be discovered, says the statement from the Ministry of Interior, the murderer surprised the priest by violently striking him repeatedly with a blunt object on the head and neck, causing his death.
SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Why was Fr Marek killed? For two thousand dinars! We can hardly believe that. Certainly there are details that we do not know. However, there are some things that I know: I know that two weeks before his assassination, Fr Marek wrote this about the Tunisian people: “It is a young nation, intelligent, incapable of violence (sic!), profoundly good and incapable of hate.” I know that he asked to come to Tunisia four years ago as a newly ordained priest. I know that he asked for money [donations] from everywhere to find new premises for the school that he loved very much and of which he was the bursar.
IF A SEED FALLS TO THE GROUND AND DIES…
“If a seed falls to the ground and dies…” He fell, he died, and following the example of Christ, to whom Fr Marek was consecrated, and he has borne fruit. There were so many messages of solidarity, so many scenes of grief and condolences; the flowers laid at the door of the Cathedral, Tunisian boys and girls gathered outside the Cathedral with slogans: “Marek, forgive me!” Young Tunisians came to the Cathedral on Sunday the 20th February with flowers and tears in their eyes… “We did not kill,” they said, “this is not Tunisia…forgive us!” and they went away, embracing one another.
HARD TIMES ARE NOT TIMES TO ESCAPE
Now what? Well, let’s move on. This is no time to panic. It is a time of faith, patience and caution. Shall we leave? No way, hard times are not times to escape. We remain in this country that welcomes us, that loves us and whom we love. We also want to offer you the values that we believe in. Life is stronger than death, also LOVE.
– This article was published in “Don Bosco’s Madonna”, issue May 2012. For subscriptions or to support seminarians, please contact: Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, Matunga – Mumbai – 400 019 – India; email: dbmshrine@gmail.com
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